Differences in human hair shape

This image shows the differences in the shape of human hair between different ethnic groups. The hair on the left is from an Afro-Caribbean individual and the strand of hair on the right is from a Caucasian female. The outer layer of hair is made up of numerous over-lapping cells or scales. These scales protect the cortex layer underneath. The inner layer is called the medulla. The Afro-Caribbean hair has an 'S'-shaped curve giving rise to its characteristic curls. The Caucasian hair is cylindrical in shape.